Who is Petteri Rimpinen? All we know about Finland's goaltender at 2025 World Junior Championship

Petteri Rimpinen is an 18-year-old Finnish goaltender born on April 25, 2006, in Kirkkonummi, Finland. He's 6 feet tall, weighs 176 pounds and plays for Kiekko-Espoo in Finland’s Liiga. His contract runs through the 2025-26 season.

At the 2025 World Junior Championship, Rimpinen played the role of a star goalie for Finland. He recorded a 2.34 goals-against average (GAA) and a .933 save percentage. His efforts helped Finland secure a silver medal. In the final, he made 36 saves as Finland aimed for their sixth World Junior title against the USA.

Rimpinen ranked second among goaltenders in the tournament. He stopped 238 of 255 shots and earned one shutout in seven games, displaying his consistency and ability to handle pressure.

During the 2024-25 Liiga season, Petteri Rimpinen posted a 2.25 GAA and a .916 save percentage in 24 games. These numbers show that he's ready for professional competition. In the 2023-24 U18 SM-sarja, he had an impressive .950 save percentage.

Rimpinen started his hockey journey in the Salamat youth program and also won a bronze medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. His steady improvement and strong performances have made him a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft.

Rimpinen has shown the potential to become a reliable goaltender for Finland and possibly in the NHL.

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Petteri Rimpinen and Finland's Performance in loss to USA at the 2025 World Junior Championship

Finland played well but lost 4-3 to the United States in overtime in the gold medal game. At 7:13 in the first period, Emil Hemming assisted Jesse Kiiskinen, who shot under Trey Augustine’s glove to give the Finns the lead as they controlled the puck and created chances early on.

The Americans tied it at 1-1 after Finland had failed to clear the zone. Petteri Rimpinen couldn’t control a glove save, and James Hagens scored from close range. Finland quickly responded with Tuomas Uronen helping regain the lead at 2-1.

In the second period, Finland extended their lead to 3-1. Emil Pieniniemi took advantage of a U.S. defensive mistake and scored, but the Americans fought back, Brandon Svoboda’s shot went past Rimpinen, cutting Finland’s lead to 3-2.

Late in the second period, the U.S. tied it as Cole Hutson scored with 28.7 seconds left entering the third period. In the third, neither team scored as the game went to overtime.

In overtime, Rimpinen made several key saves, stopping Ryan Leonard and James Hagens, but Teddy Stiga scored on a breakaway at 8:04, giving the U.S. the win as Petteri Rimpinen’s solid performance for Finland went in vain.